WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:02.959 Well, good morning and welcome to the Orchard Online Service. 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:04.959 Today I'm so glad that you're with us. 00:00:05.280 --> 00:00:09.439 We have been in an amazing series that's simply titled Storyline. 00:00:09.599 --> 00:00:24.399 And in this series, we've kind of been looking at the Bible, the overall redemptive story of the Bible from a bird's eye view and going through a series of steps, understanding what took place in this world, how did we get to where we are, and what is the answer? 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:33.759 So in week one, we kind of went back to the origins of creation and we learned about how the problem entered in, and very clearly it's because sin entered in. 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:39.439 And when sin entered in, it brought chaos and confusion, and of course it brought in death with it. 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:55.359 And then last week in week two was really exciting because we were able to go through the Old Testament and we were able to see how, even in the beginning, knowing that sin was going to enter in, God had a plan, and he even sent a redeemer, beginning through the Old Testament. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:01:16.560 And we learn how through the Old Testament is not just a collection of random stories and history and moral values, but the Old Testament, we see like a breadcrumb trail that just leads us to Jesus through every sacrifice, through every priest, every prophet, every king, every prophecy, and every promise. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:21.760 It establishes these patterns that we're all preparing for the true hero to come. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:27.680 And by the way, his name is Jesus, and he has always been the hero of our story. 00:01:27.920 --> 00:01:36.400 So that leads us into week number three, where we're going to look at the identity and some of the attributes of this hero that we call Jesus. 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:40.079 So I hope you guys have seen the movie Gladiator. 00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:43.200 It's probably one of my top five movies of all time. 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:54.799 It's a powerful movie, and if you know the beginning narrative of that movie, is that Maximus, who is the hero in the movie, he's a general for the army of Rome, and he works under the true emperor. 00:01:54.959 --> 00:01:59.280 And during this time, the emperor's son actually assassinated his father. 00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:03.280 And Maximus refused to bow down to this false emperor. 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:11.680 So there was an execution ordered, and he evaded the execution, but in the mix of that, Maximus' wife and son were murdered. 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:12.960 And he was so broken. 00:02:13.120 --> 00:02:16.319 Maximus, who played by Russell Crowe, was just so tired. 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:20.960 He's actually captured and sold as a slave, and he ends up as a gladiator. 00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:26.159 So in this movie, it's like a lot of movies where we have a hero and we have a villain. 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:35.360 And there's a powerful scene that takes place because this false emperor, Commodus, he believes that this man is dead, who's a threat to him. 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:37.199 But the hero's alive. 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:47.599 And in that arena, in the Colosseum, when this gladiator fight is ending, he comes down and he says, Take off your helmet and let us see who we are, who you are. 00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:50.879 And it's in that moment that Maximus reveals who he is. 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:52.319 He takes off the helmet. 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:53.520 Here's what he says. 00:02:53.680 --> 00:02:56.400 I believe most men probably know this line. 00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:14.400 My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the North, general of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will have my vengeance in this life or the next. 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:19.599 So this evil emperor, he believed that he had already crushed his enemy. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:21.360 He thought Maximus was dead. 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:29.840 But in this moment, in this movie, the hero was revealed, and when the helmet came off, the crowd just sort of gasped, and the hero is still alive. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:31.039 The hero's return. 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:33.840 And that changed everything. 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:43.120 That's kind of what we're going to see today in this part of the redemption story where the hero, the identity and the attributes of Jesus are revealed. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:47.840 Have you ever noticed that a lot of great stories and movies follow the same script? 00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:49.520 There's always a problem. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:53.199 We need a solution, and then a hero reveals himself. 00:03:53.360 --> 00:04:08.319 And we know this storyline all too well because while we know what happened in the movie Gladiator, maybe you've watched a movie like Braveheart or other action movies where a hero is involved, and maybe you're saying, Pastor Robert, we don't like all those violent movies like that. 00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:09.680 Hey, I got news for you. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:14.479 The same plot, the same storyline happens in the Lion King. 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:25.920 Whether it's Paramount or Pixar or DreamWorks or Disney, it seems like it's always the same scene, the same narrative, where the hero rises up because there's a problem. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:29.439 A sacrifice is made and the kingdom is restored. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:40.399 And while it is a plot in a lot of movies where evil seems unstoppable, it seems like there's always a moment when the hero is revealed, where the hero arrives. 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:42.480 And that's what we're going to look at today. 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:48.160 And that's your story, that's my story, because that is the story of redemption that we see in the Word of God. 00:04:48.319 --> 00:04:53.600 We know that God created a perfect world, and we know that sin entered in and death followed it. 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:58.319 Humanity was enslaved, death entered the arena, and no one could defeat it. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:04.079 And then at just the right time, heaven sent the hero for the unveiling. 00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:07.439 And he wasn't carrying a sword, but we know that he was carrying a cross. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:10.879 And he didn't come to destroy lives, but to give his own life. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:14.959 And he didn't come to conquer Rome, but to conquer death, hell, and the grave. 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:22.399 And I want to say it again, his name is Jesus, because he is the one true hero that God sent to rescue the world. 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:28.240 And my hope today and my prayer is this is that you will see Jesus is our true hero. 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:36.879 So we're going to begin in Colossians today because I want to share with you the identity of Jesus Christ, and then we're going to look in Romans 5 at the attributes of Jesus Christ. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:39.120 Jesus, the perfect hero. 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:45.279 So let me show you what the Apostle Paul says when he wrote to the church in Colosse, chapter 1, verses 15 through 20. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:52.800 Says these words, He, speaking of Jesus, is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 00:05:53.120 --> 00:06:04.639 For everything was created by him in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions, or rulers or authorities, all things have been created through him and for him. 00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:08.720 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:11.199 He is also the head of the body, the church. 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:17.680 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:30.720 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:32.399 So we need to grasp this. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:33.759 This is where I want to go today. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:39.920 Here's your big idea is the power of the rescue always depends on the identity of the rescuer. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:47.920 Think about it like this: if your house is on fire and you need a hero, you don't call a ballet instructor to come fight that fire. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:49.199 You want a firefighter. 00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:55.120 And if something happens and you have a heart attack and your heart stops beating, you don't need a motivational speaker. 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:58.560 What you need is a cardiovascular doctor. 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:06.800 And because our souls are in a broken state, because we need a rescue, we don't just ask for advice. 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:08.959 We seek out a savior. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:13.839 Because the power of the rescue always depends on the identity of the rescuer. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:20.720 And in Paul's letter to the church at Colossians, here he tells us this beautiful, majestic description of Christ. 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:26.959 And I believe it's one of the most powerful descriptions that we see of Jesus in the fullness that he is. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:29.120 Let me give you the cliff notes of this real quick. 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:31.839 He says Jesus is the image of the invisible God. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:35.040 You want to know what Jesus looks like, or you want to know what God looks like? 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:36.079 Just look at Jesus. 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:42.720 Jesus is God in the flesh, but he also shows us that Jesus is the firstborn over all creation. 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:46.560 This means that he has supreme authority over everything. 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:49.600 But he also says that Jesus is the creator of the universe. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:57.439 Every star, every atom, every heartbeat, every breath, every person, all things were created by him and for him. 00:07:57.839 --> 00:08:02.000 But he also tells us a word for us today, that he is the head of the church. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:06.240 But I love this. 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:09.040 Paul says that Jesus is the fullness of God. 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:12.560 The fullness and the deity of our sovereign God dwells within him. 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:24.959 And the best part, Jesus is the reconciler of all things because it's through his blood that was shed on Calvary's cross that we can find peace, that we can find that reconciliation that we need in this broken world that we live. 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:28.399 So Jesus is not just the point of the story. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:31.199 I hope you see that he's the point of everything. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:38.639 So now that we know the identity of our hero, we know the attributes of our hero, I want to transition now to Romans chapter 5. 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:46.799 And as we pick up where we left off, I want to show you some amazing things that Jesus did, some truths about the attributes of his identity. 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:48.799 So let's go back to verse 14. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:50.720 This was our key verse from last week. 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:55.919 And it's so important we read this because we need it as we segue into the next scriptures. 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:58.000 Verse 14, chapter 5. 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:02.240 Paul speaking says, Nevertheless, death reigned. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:03.279 That's the problem. 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:06.799 Because sin entered in, death also entered in. 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:14.639 It says, Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam's transgression. 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:19.200 And then he gives the answer, He is a type of the coming one. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:20.639 Do you see this? 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:22.320 That remember, Adam was a type. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:23.759 Adam was a shadow. 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:28.240 And then we get to verse 15. 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:41.440 But the gift is not like the trespass, for if by the one man's trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many? 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:48.159 And the gift is not like the one man's sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation. 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:52.480 But from many trespasses came the gift resulting in justification. 00:09:52.720 --> 00:10:06.159 If by the one man's trespass death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of the grace and the gift of righteousness reign in the life through the one man, Jesus Christ? 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:23.200 So there is so many truths in this text, but for me there's three little nuggets that I want to bring out for you today, three things that will help you understand and bridge the gap, not only who Jesus is, but some things that he did that link him to the hero in our redemption story. 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:28.080 So the first thing I want you to see is this is that our hero gives grace. 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:30.320 Jesus brings grace. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:43.519 Once again, in Romans 5.15, it says these words at the end of this verse, the grace of God and the gift of which comes through the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflowed to the many. 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:49.519 Paul is using this as a comparison, yet also a contrast to what Adam did. 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:54.639 We know that Adam brought in trespass, yet Jesus brings in forgiveness. 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:59.039 Adam brought in guilt, but Jesus brings in grace. 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:03.679 Adam handed us a death sentence, but Jesus hands us a free gift. 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:08.559 The beautiful, the unmerited, the unearned, amazing grace. 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:16.799 And I hope that you can hear this today, because this is a major problem that we have in Christian circles, is that you can't earn this grace. 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:18.559 You can only receive it. 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:27.279 And that sounds simple, but it's one of the biggest problems that we deal with today because for so many, we have become indoctrinated to a works-based religion. 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:35.679 Instead of embracing God's grace as a gift that was given through a relationship, we turn to religion, which says you've always got to work harder. 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:36.799 Can I tell you something? 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:40.000 Religion says we work harder, but grace says it's finished. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:45.519 Religion says you got to try to reach out and find God when grace says that God came to us. 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:51.600 Religion says you got to pay for your debt, you got to pay the price, while grace says Jesus paid it all. 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:53.919 So let me take you back to gladiator. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:55.279 Let me help you understand this. 00:11:55.519 --> 00:12:02.000 Imagine a condemned gladiator that has suffered defeat, yet he is still alive, standing in the center of the arena. 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:04.559 He is the subject of the emperor's judgment. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:09.120 And if the emperor puts his thumb down, we know that that's not going to be good for him. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:12.799 That means the verdict is death under the authority of the judge. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:16.559 And did you know that in our sin, that's what we are all condemned to is death? 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:17.919 We all get this. 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:20.480 But let me show you what grace looks like. 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:24.240 Because there's nothing that we can do to change it to this. 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.919 But grace does. 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:30.080 Can you imagine being in that arena, condemned to death? 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:34.799 And all of a sudden someone steps forward and he says, I'll take his place. 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:36.480 I'll take his place. 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:38.080 I'll do this for him. 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:39.440 That's grace. 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:41.279 And that's exactly what Jesus did. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:49.200 He walked into the battlefield arena of our broken lives, the place of brokenness, confusion, and chaos, and the condemnation that we all have. 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:56.240 And he took our verdict, he took our punishment, he took the wages of our sin, which is death, and he says, I got this. 00:12:56.559 --> 00:12:58.879 You see, that's the beautiful picture of grace. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:03.440 He says, If you will receive this gift, he says, I've already paid the price. 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:05.759 But let me show you what else Paul says in this text. 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:06.720 It's so amazing. 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:13.120 The second thing is this our hero brought justification to overcome our condemnation. 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:24.000 And Romans verse 16, there in chapter 5, it says like this and the gift is not like the one man's sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation. 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.279 That's where we're at today. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.559 We're all condemned. 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:32.159 But from many trespasses came the gift, which results in justification. 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:38.159 So while one sin brought in condemnation, this is that shadow, that pattern, or the type we talked about last week. 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:40.080 It came through the one man Adam. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.039 That's the pattern. 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:47.360 Paul goes on to say, but Jesus, who was the coming one, he brought justification. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:49.039 Let me tell you what that means. 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:51.440 It means that my penalty has been paid. 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:56.559 It means that my pardon has been pronounced and that my position has now been perfected. 00:13:56.799 --> 00:14:02.559 My sin was charged to Christ, and praise God, his righteousness has now been credited to me. 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:08.080 Because when Jesus took my condemnation, he gave me justification. 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:10.799 You see, justification means that I'm not guilty. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:14.799 Justification means that the debt that was on my life has been canceled. 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:16.480 It's been recorded and cleared. 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:17.919 It's been pain in full. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:23.360 And because Jesus rose from the grave is proof that death no longer has the final word. 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:26.080 Yes, Satan threw a lot of punches. 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:30.320 He threw a big punch, but praise God that Jesus got back up. 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:39.600 Maybe you've seen that in lots of movies when there's a problem and the hero comes in and the evil one tries to take him out and he beats him down a little bit. 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:42.559 He takes some licks and he falls and he looks like he's done. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:47.200 And the enemy gets that little side-eyed sneer, looking at him, kind of laughing in his heart. 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:52.480 And he may celebrate for just a moment, and the crowd, the audience assumes that it's all over. 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:55.440 But then the hero begins to pull his legs back under him. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:59.600 He gets a clarity in his eyes, and then he rises up to win the fight. 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.679 You see, that's what Easter's all about. 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:04.399 That's what we celebrate, the resurrected Christ. 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:09.759 Friday looked like defeat, but praise God on Resurrection Sunday that he wins the fight. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:14.879 But here's the difference is that the hero, our hero, didn't just survive death. 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:19.440 In our storyline, we learn according to Scripture that he actually conquered it. 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:22.639 And that leads to the last thing that I want you to see in this text. 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:30.080 The third part is this because our hero reigns, we too can live in victory when we live in him. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:32.799 Let's read this text, verse 17. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:46.320 If by one man's trespass death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ? 00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:51.679 Now I want you to see this very, very carefully, because this text tells us that He reigns. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:54.320 Jesus reigns because He conquered. 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.519 He is a conqueror. 00:15:55.679 --> 00:16:00.399 And because He conquered, He has given us this gift of grace. 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:05.919 And when we fully receive this gift, it doesn't say we just survive. 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:08.480 It doesn't say that we even just thrive. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:10.559 It says that we reign. 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:13.120 Now let me let me take you a little deeper in this. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:17.519 He gives grace because he conquered, therefore he reigns. 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:26.159 And then we too reign in life when we live through the conqueror, when we live in the conqueror of Jesus Christ. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:38.399 Verse 17, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness, listen, reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:43.840 It doesn't say apart from Jesus Christ, it says through a life in Jesus Christ. 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:52.879 So because our hero reigns, those who belong to him and those who live in him, they live victoriously alongside of him. 00:16:53.679 --> 00:17:08.640 Man, to know that we have been bought and paid for with a price, that the battle has been won, that death has been defeated, it's one of the greatest experiences that you can ever have to know that our eternity is secured, and yet we can live in this life victoriously. 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:10.400 But I'm going to tell you something. 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:18.400 It bothers me so bad when I know the power of our redemption, and we still see Christians walking around like they've been defeated. 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:22.720 They're walking around like they're still lost, like they've not been justified. 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:25.279 And it's like they're missing out. 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:27.039 They're not winning at life. 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:33.359 Why are we living like we've been defeated when we've been bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ? 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:38.880 Man, this is where so many people missed the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:43.519 Listen, Jesus didn't just rescue you so you could go and limp into heaven one day. 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:53.200 He didn't save you so you could spend the rest of your life hiding in fear, drowning in shame, and then acting like the enemy still owns the keys to the lock that has you in bondage. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:18:02.640 Paul says those who receive the abundance of grace and who receive the gift of righteousness, it doesn't say they might. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:06.319 It says they will reign in life through Jesus Christ. 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:14.079 Not just survive, not just cope, not just squeak by, but reign in a life in Christ. 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.599 You know what that tells me? 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:18.000 That means the battle's already been decided. 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:28.559 It tells me that the war is over, that the victory has already been won, and it's been credited to your account when you receive this wonderful gift of grace. 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:36.559 So why are so many people, why are so many Christians living like they've lost at life when the battle's already been won? 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:40.079 Man, I see so many people walking around like spiritual prisoners. 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:45.759 There's Christians who are still dragging around like the chains of death and despair, holding them back. 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:51.039 And like their sins still holding them down, sins that Jesus nailed to the cross. 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:59.920 Man, there's people who claim to be in Christ who bow their heads in shame all the time over their past failures when God's saying that debt's already been paid. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:06.079 That sin has been cast as far as the east is from the west to be remembered no more, yet we still live in defeat. 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:13.920 Man, the greatest gladiator to ever step into the reign of this world has declared that you are forgiven. 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:15.599 You are chosen. 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:17.920 You have been bought and paid for with a price. 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.599 Therefore, you are righteous. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:23.359 You are his because you have received this gift of grace. 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:31.279 And today, there's some listening in today, maybe some students who are still terrified internally of what other people think about them. 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:35.440 When the creator of the universe says he's already approved you in Christ Jesus. 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:39.839 There's some marriages out there that are still living under the cloud of resentment. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:44.160 Even though the cross has made forgiveness possible for you. 00:19:44.400 --> 00:20:11.920 There's parents who are all twisted up in life right now because you're living in the midst and having a prodigal son, and you just don't know what to do, forgetting that Jesus is still on the throne, and there are believers who are crippled by anxiety with the things that are going on in this world, checking the stock market on an hourly basis, tuning into Fox News, looking at all the wars and rumors of war, scrolling doomsday propaganda on social media as if the government is still sitting on the throne. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:15.200 Church, hear me, the White House is not on the throne. 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:20.000 Wall Street is not on the throne, and listen, your feelings are not even on the throne. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:22.799 And most definitely your failures are not on the throne. 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:26.559 I'm here to tell you that none of your situation is on the throne. 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:30.240 Satan is not on the throne because Jesus Christ is on the throne. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:35.680 That means you aren't fighting for victory, you're fighting from the victory that he has already won for you. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:40.319 That means that you're not trying to earn acceptance, you're living from acceptance. 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:44.640 That means you aren't waiting to see who wins because we know that Jesus has already won. 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:46.160 Death has been defeated. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:52.799 Satan has been disarmed, sin has been pardoned, heaven has been opened, and Jesus has been enthroned. 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:58.319 And when the king wins, according to verse 17, the people win. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:01.279 And I'm here to tell you that the king has already won. 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:06.000 Our hero sits on the throne and his victory becomes our victory. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:12.079 And that gives me a powerful and an eternal confidence because the conqueror conquered. 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:21.119 And when we receive the gift of the abundance of grace from that conqueror, we are victorious when we live through his conquering. 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:25.920 In that movie, Gladiator, Maximus fights for people who can't free themselves. 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:37.440 He enters the arena, he faces overwhelming enemies, he absorbs blow after blow, beaten down, but he defeats a tyrant, and his sacrifice in this moment brings freedom. 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:41.519 But Maximus was only the lead role in this movie. 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:43.279 Jesus is real. 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:47.920 Yes, Maximus fought an earthly kingdom, Jesus fought for an eternal kingdom. 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:52.720 Maximus shed blood unwillingly while Jesus shed his blood voluntarily. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:57.759 Maximus inspired crowds while Jesus came to transform souls. 00:21:58.640 --> 00:22:05.440 Maximus could only Postpone injustice while we know that Jesus forever destroys sin and death. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:08.160 And Maximus died and he stayed dead. 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:17.200 But I love this that Jesus died, and yet on the third day he rose again, proving to you and me that God accepted that payment for our sins. 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:21.039 So the greatest question today is not, are you trying harder? 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:23.279 Are you trying to be more religious? 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:25.039 Are you trying to be a better person? 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:32.480 You see, the great question today is: have you received this great grace from the conqueror? 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:35.680 Have you received this beautiful gift from Jesus Christ? 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:41.920 Because Romans 5.17 says it's only available to those who receive. 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:48.400 In the same verse, he tells us we receive the overflow of his grace. 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:53.599 That the gift of righteousness will reign in your life through that one man, Jesus Christ. 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:59.200 That's why we should be convinced today that Jesus is the hero God sent to rescue the world. 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:03.440 You know what's so amazing about that movie, Gladiator, that a lot of people miss? 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:14.160 But before Maximus entered into this slave trade and before he became a gladiator, we know that he was one of the generals for this great legion of the Army of the North. 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:23.839 And then as the beginning of this movie begins to roll, we see him charging up to all of his soldiers as they're about to endure this great battle. 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:29.119 And he says something so powerful that I think rings true today in the same storyline. 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:36.240 He tells his soldiers who are in this fight, he says, What we do in life echoes in eternity. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:40.960 I believe that line was probably more true than Hollywood ever intended. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:48.000 So here's the question: What are you doing today with Jesus that will echo in your eternity? 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:52.960 Because if we reject him, our eternity will be separation from God. 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:57.599 But if we receive him, our eternity will be a life with God. 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:59.680 You see, the gospel is very simple. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:04.880 God created you, and we know that because of sin, we were separated from God. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:08.799 But Jesus died for you and he rose again. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:12.960 So this amazing gift of grace would be available to you. 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:20.880 We just have to receive it by trusting that he is the hero that God sent to rescue the world. 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:22.400 So today you have a choice. 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:24.880 Will you keep fighting the battle that you can't win on your own? 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:28.160 Will you be your own hero in your own storyline? 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:39.759 Or will you embrace the truth that we see in the Word of God, of the greatest storyline, the greatest story of redemption where there's one Redeemer, one hero, and one Jesus. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.960 Let me pray with you. 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:43.839 Father, I thank you, God, for this word that we see. 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:46.720 God, thank you for the words of Paul in two different letters. 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:50.079 God, that share the beautiful picture of the identity of Christ. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:53.519 God, but also the attributes that make him who he is. 00:24:53.759 --> 00:25:06.000 Lord, today, if there's one struggling out there, if they have not come to a saving knowledge of your goodness and your mercy and this amazing gift of grace that, God, in our own humanism, we can't even begin to understand it. 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:10.240 Father, we just have to receive this gift and embrace it. 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:16.160 I thank you, Father, for the promise of eternity, God, but also for the life of abundance that your word promises. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:23.599 I can just see this overflow of grace that you are giving us as we live in you and through you, our great hero and our great conqueror. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.799 Father, I pray with you. 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:39.680 Be with those that are struggling today, God, for those that have questions, God, that give them a spirit, God, of humility, that they will reach out, God, that they will just simply call upon your name, God, that they will be saved, that they will receive this beautiful gift of your amazing grace. 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:45.680 That's the wonderful and the powerful, the precious, and the famous name of Jesus, I pray all these things. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.640 Amen.